Big E ignition....or lack of....

[doug crann]

Have a big E....that just refuses to light without some assistance. It has a 3" exhaust on it that is a bit long, according to the calculations, if that matters. It will not light if you rely on just the ignitor. I have to either put a paper towel beneath the burn pot or throw a few pellets in the pot and hit them an ignitor fluid, light them and keep my toes crossed that it will light. Have always wondered about the ignitor being so far away from the burn pot, but the place I got it from assured me that is not an issue.....

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Sounds like you just may need a new Ignitor. How old is the stove?

 

[doug crann]

It is about 3 years old. We only use it when our other stove is turned off for cleaning. It might have 30 bags put thru it. Not that this part matters but it has had this problem since we had it. Guessing the ignitor could just be weak?

 

[altmartion]

maybe it's the pellets.

 

[doug crann]

Been burning nothing but Lignetics in it. Going to town today, will grab a bag of another brand to give it a shot. When I light it the dampner is at the same setting we use when it is burning, perhaps I should try shutting it all the way before lighting it the next time?

 

[Bioburner]

Might be bad gaskets on doors. Heard of them shipping some bad doors and gaskets etc. Not getting the right airflow can make the igniter not work properly. Just had another stove with ignition issues and was bad airflow thru igniter. Spider web was in the tube for the igniter slowing down the flow. Got out the pistol cleaning kit to brush out the tube and no problems since.

 

[altmartion]

have you tested the igniter?

 

[doug crann]

Test the ignitor? What is involved in doing so? I do know that it is trying to do its thing....it does make the burn pot hot...and if I stick a sheet of paper towel under the bucket it does burn the paper towel. Will check the tube for obstructions. How can you tell if the door gaskets are leaking? Will shutting the dampner entirely help it. I have it pulled out about 3/8" or so.....seems to burn best on #2/3 at that spot. Have always wondered about the small air gap above/below the door. Would like to thank you folks for your suggestions.....

 

[altmartion]

Test the ignitor? What is involved in doing so? I do know that it is trying to do its thing....it does make the burn pot hot...and if I stick a sheet of paper towel under the bucket it does burn the paper towel. Will check the tube for obstructions. How can you tell if the door gaskets are leaking? Will shutting the dampner entirely help it. I have it pulled out about 3/8" or so.....seems to burn best on #2/3 at that spot. Have always wondered about the small air gap above/below the door. Would like to thank you folks for your suggestions.....

find out what style igniter you have. then find the specs and test it using ohms. also you could confirm you are getting full voltage to it, it is not common but does happen.

 

[doug crann]

find out what style igniter you have. then find the specs and test it using ohms. also you could confirm you are getting full voltage to it, it is not common but does happen.

Have to clean it this weekend, will take a look. Hope I can figure out what is up with it....down the road I would like to move it out to the garage....be nice to have some heat out there while I am working on my Dart....

 

[altmartion]

Have to clean it this weekend, will take a look. Hope I can figure out what is up with it....down the road I would like to move it out to the garage....be nice to have some heat out there while I am working on my Dart....

I love being out in my garge in the winter working on my hotrods. come fall I look forward to winter just for that. it is my get away. this is part of my busy season and I don't get much time for it anymore. I got my t-bucket motor tore down for a complete rebuild and it has been for over a month. depressing. but I do slow down for a few weeks this time every year.

 

[doug crann]

Go finger......follow directions, close the dampner all the way while lighting, and the thing lights every time.....interesting....